In autumn 2021, Polish Air Force F-16s were deployed to Iceland for NATO Air Policing. Bartosz Głowacki reports
As Iceland does not maintain an air force, the country was left without means to patrol its airspace after USAF F-15s left Keflavík Air Base in 2005. Following the American withdrawal, Russian Air Force aircraft entered Icelandic airspace on several occasions. Due to these concerns, Iceland’s government asked NATO to assume responsibility for protecting the country’s airspace. The North Atlantic Council agreed to this request at its July 2007 meeting.
Armament pre-flight check for Icelandic Air Policing. The Polish F-16s were armed with AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120C air-to-air missiles
Polish Combat Camera – Piotr Gubernat
Polish Air Force F-16 pilot wearing the JHMCS helmet cruises over the High North en route to the Iceland Air Policing detachment
Polish Air Force
